Stretch marks are a scar that develops when your skin stretches or shrinks too fast or with sudden weight changes. Skin tone influences how the marks appear; they can be wrinkled, raised red, purple, pink, or reddish-brown streaks. Over time, the streaks diminish and flatten, and they tend to turn a silvery color. In some cases, stretch marks fade with time, but this might take months or even years. Enhancing the process of getting rid of them can take time and requires a lot of patience. They may never completely disappear, but you can improve their appearance with proper skin care practices.
The two most critical times when most people develop stretch marks are puberty and pregnancy. However, anyone can get them, no matter their gender, though some people are more at risk than others.
When you have stretch marks, it’s not necessarily a sign that you are unhealthy. However, in rare cases, it could be a sign that you may have an underlying condition. So seek professional advice to determine if they are cause for concern.
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Common causes of stretch marks
Stretching of the skin causes stretch marks; however, the factors below can make them worse or make you more prone to getting them.
- Genes
- Sudden weight changes
- Pregnancy
- Being overweight
- A hormone called cortisone is produced by the adrenal gland. High levels of it may cause elastic fibers in your skin to weaken.
How to treat stretch marks
“How fast can I get rid of my stretch marks?” I’m sure you’re asking yourself. The short answer is patience, and it can take some time for them to fade or reduce their overall appearance.
Use retinoids
Several benefits come with using retinoids because of the amazing way they work on your skin. Retinoids increase the rate at which your skin cells turn over, which will shed away old dead skin cells and reveal fresh and healthy ones. Applying topically on your stretch marks will help your skin rebuild itself by boosting collagen production. This will make them disappear and look more like your natural skin tone. This treatment is best used when your stretch marks are newly developed.
Use Centella
Centella is a medicinal plant used for many years as a cosmetic ingredient. Among its uses are restoring and repairing your skin’s moisture barrier (boosts collagen), treating scars, and soothing skin, especially when it is sensitive, irritated, and inflamed. It can show visible immediate signs of soothing sensitized skin.
Centella is found in some products that are marketed to treat stretch marks. However, these products have other helpful ingredients, such as Vitamin E and collagen-elastin hydrolysates, which all reduce their appearance. With its barrier-restoring and -repairing properties, this ingredient is a no-brainer for treating stretch marks.
Coconut oil
Extra virgin coconut oil has had its fair share of praise for its many uses and benefits over the years. It cannot completely eliminate stretch marks; however, when massaged regularly to the affected area, it can improve the appearance and be smooth and then out.
With extended use, it can also prevent them from appearing and heal the existing ones.
Use glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that penetrates deep into your skin. It treats hyperpigmentation, sheds away dead skin cells, improves texture, and unclogs pores. A glycolic acid lotion toner on your stretch mark can help exfoliate skin in that region and reduce its appearance.
Microneedling
Micro-needling is a non-invasive medical procedure that involves using a small pen with many tiny needles that cause micro punctures in your skin. These small punctures cause your skin to have micro-injuries that then boost collagen and elastin production. When this procedure is done on stretch marks, it improves their appearance over time.
Chemical peels
Hydroxy acids are often used in chemical peels to address several skin concerns, such as acne scarring, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Due to the high risk associated with these procedures, they can only be administered by estheticians and dermatologists.
The glycolic acid peel is the most effective chemical peel for stretch marks. It helps to fade and improve the texture and appearance over time.
Laser therapy for stretch marks
A laser treatment boosts collagen production to improve firmness and texture by utilizing the body’s natural healing process. Besides increasing the elasticity of the skin, laser light also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The downside of using laser therapy is it comes with a few side effects, such as skin irritation and pigment changes. This is less favorable for people with darker skin tones.
Because of its collagen-boosting properties, laser therapy can be ideal for improving the appearance of stretch marks.
How to treat stretch marks during pregnancy
The list of skincare products you cannot use during pregnancy is endless. This makes treating and preventing them challenging, especially in the last trimester. They usually appear on the breasts, thighs, and abdomen. The problem with stretch marks that appear during pregnancy is that they usually don’t disappear completely afterward, so preventative treatments are the right way forward.
Two topical products are the most popular for treating stretch marks during pregnancy. These products are verum ointment and trofolastin. According to a study, massage with Trofolastin cream was associated with fewer stretch marks than a placebo. In a second study, massage with verum ointment was associated with fewer stretch marks in women compared to no treatment. Despite this, it is still being determined if the results are due to the topical treatment: any type of ointment would likely be as effective as the topical treatment.
So the key to preventing them is simply gently rubbing and moisturizing the affected areas with a pregnancy-safe oil/ointment to prevent them from occurring or improve their appearance.
How to prevent stretch marks
Whenever possible, prevention is better than cure. Furthermore, there are several ways that you can control the possibility of you getting stretch marks. Of course, sometimes it can be inevitable, but these are just a few lifestyle changes you can make to lessen your chances.
Maintain a healthy weight.
This is one simple yet effective way of reducing your chances of getting stretch marks. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your life can benefit you in many other ways, even during pregnancy. Incorporate exercise and a healthy balanced diet to help manage it, and this way, you will reduce your chances of developing them.
Eat a balanced diet.
You must maintain a healthy, balanced diet for your skin to get all the nutrients needed to maintain optimum health. This diet should be rich in all the essential nutrients that your body requires. When you lack certain nutrients, stretch marks may start to appear. Therefore, eating foods high in nutrients that are beneficial for you again can decrease the chances of that happening. Foods rich in vitamin C, proteins, zinc, A, and D are all essential for maintaining healthy skin.
Drink lots of water.
Water is so critical for maintaining a healthy body and, ultimately, healthy skin. Your skin maintains a soft and elastic texture when you drink lots of water. Because your skin is so elastic and soft, it reduces your chances of developing stretch marks. It’s possible to develop them from excessive caffeinated beverages like coffee. Consider drinking plenty of water, herbal tea, and any other caffeine-free beverage to balance your fluid intake if you regularly consume coffee.
Don’t wait too long to treat them.
Sometimes you cannot completely prevent stretch marks from occurring, so in this case, try to manage them as soon as they appear. Moisturizing skin is vital for maintaining its soft, supple, and elastic texture. By moisturizing your skin often with nutrient-rich ingredients like olive oil and argan oil and massaging them often, you will manage them. But make sure you see your doctor and find out what could be causing them.
And finally
The appearance of stretch marks may be bothersome, but they are not harmful. This can be minimized with some medical treatments. Your dermatologist can help you determine which option would be best for you.
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